Topic: Bobby Leecan - Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

[The Jazzbo Tommy Settler]

G'day, I've trying to figure out the lyrics to this tune, but I can work out so little that it's not even worth writing. Perhaps it's been done before here, but I can't find it. Thanks for any help.  Here's Bobby Leeann's recording of the song:

[Pan]

Have you compared Leecan's set of lyrics with those of Bessie Smith's? That should get you started.

http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=669.msg5068#msg5068

Cheers

Pan

[The Jazzbo Tommy Settler]

That's the frustrating thing about this song, it bares not much resemblance to others with the same name.

[Fkeller]

Ok, here's my first attempt.  It is very different than the other version.

Here's the video:  http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=leecan

Now I went downtown on broadway
Looked up at a sign that said no free meals today
Walked right in I took a seat
Waiter looked at me and said hey brother pay up before you eat
I was raggedy thirsty too
   was walking from two by two
In my pocket I didn't have a cent
 ?? down to where I went

Now you can see nobody needs you
Oh when you're down and out
In your pocket you ain't ain't got a dime
Look over town (singer's flub) not a friend you can find
As soon as your money grows treetop tall
Bill Jack and Harry will all give you a call
Now listen now brother this ain't no doubt
Nobody wants you when you're down and out
I mean on your last go around

Now I was feeling lonesome kinda blue
I put a (trace?) of numbers like most colored people do
I put my money down on old twenty-two
I didn't play no bleeder I thought that would do
As soon as I thought that I had won
The man but old eleven said a two twenty one
A friend of mine walked up to me the very next day
He said he lost on that number the very same way

Now you can see nobody needs you
Oh when you're down and out
In your pocket you ain't ain't got a dime
You look all over town not a friend can be found
As soon as your money grows treetop tall
Bill Jack and Harry will all give you a call
Now listen now brother this ain't no doubt
Nobody wants you when you're down and out
I mean on your last go around

[Lastfirstface]

Some suggestions:

In the first verse its:

"Lice on my body was walking two by two"

In chorus:

"Bill, Jack and Hannah lord give you a call"

Second verse:

"I thought I'd play some numbers like most colored people do"

"I didn't play no bolita, I thought that would do"
(google bolita if you're wondering about this one)

[Fkeller]

Yep, thanks for clearing up those lines .  And thanks for the tip about bolita.  I was familiar with the general idea of the lottery/numbers rackets but not many specifics.  Nearly got it!